"What I'm worried about is what we've always done," defensive end Justin Tuck told the New York Daily News. "We've always been 6-2 at the break or 5-3 at the break. We've got to find ways to make sure we keep this thing going."

This is the seventh time in coach Tom Coughlin's nine seasons in New York that the Giants have started 6-2 or better. Coughlin has a 53-19 in the first halves of seasons in New York. His record drops to 27-37 in the second half of the season. The Giants have never been 6-2 in the second half under Coughlin.

The Giants have enjoyed moments of brilliance this season in San Francisco and Carolina, but they essentially were outplayed Sunday in Dallas. The Redskins battled them tough for four quarters. The Eagles beat them. The NFC East usually ends up a lot closer at the end of the season than the beginning. And the Giants would love to get a bye heading into the playoffs.

"I think the NFC is going to be the powerhouse of the NFL this year, so we've got to keep pace," Tuck said. "Atlanta is still undefeated. You know San Fran, who you know is going to be there at the end of the year."